Puerto Plata

My family (except for my eldest son, who unfortunately could not get the time off work to join us) just returned from a week of vacation in Puerto Plata in Dominican Republic. Similar to the recent challenge post of introducing my home town, I thought I would share our time in DR through pictures. I had planned to post this from there, but vacation got in the way.

Our resort was nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains, with spectacular views of both. Although the rooms (clean and comfortable), food (lots of it, with a good variety, including many gluten free options for me) and beach (shelly, lots of coral, and short in length) were of average quality, the mountain scenery was the best feature. This trip was planned around our youngest son’s spring break, and as it is his last year in high school he invited a few friends to join us. The unlimited food and drink for a reasonable price and great weather was the selling feature. After all, you do not go to the Dominican Republic for the food; you go for the weather. The resort was one of three in a row, connected by a winding, palm tree lined walkway, approximately a ten minute walk from end to end. Vacationers staying at any of the three hotels, all of which are under the Riu banner (Merengue Village, Merengue Garden and Bashara), were welcome to use the amenities offered at each site.

old stone farmhouse

grazing cows and mountains

our building

trees growing through roofs

trees growing through roof

tree growing in hallway

The following pictures represent a typical day, from sunrise to well after sunset…

sunrise over the mountains, right outside our balcony:

830 am breakfast was mandatory; our rule to get the boys up and moving rather than sleeping all day after partying all night:

While a walk to the far end of the beach was next for my husband and I…

…the boys filled their day with various activities such as swimming (pool and beach), volleyball, soccer, bocce ball, basketball, kayaking, sunbathing (napping), and shopping:

pool swimming

lounging and napping

beach swimming

beach shopping

volleyball

volleyball

resort shopping

predinner cards

The boys were on their own for lunch, often eating at the “snack bar” just steps from the beach:

we often went elsewhere:

Dinner was a group event scheduled for 730 pm following an afternoon of more activities (them) and another beach walk topped off with a dip in the ocean (us) Between the three hotels, there was plenty to do and see each evening as well:

sunsets

casino

live entertainment

The weather was great; hot and mostly sunny each day, with a few quick downpours, usually in the early evening or through the night.

It sure was painful to arrive back to the winter weather here in Ottawa; where would you rather be?